Life Enrichment Assistant

JOB SUMMARY

Under the supervision and direction of the Life Enrichment Coordinator, the Life Enrichment Assistant will assist in leading various individual activities along with various social and recreational programs in large and small group settings which are meaningful and enhance the resident’s quality of life. The Life Enrichment Assistant will assist in monitoring and documenting residents’ participation and progress insuring initial assessment completion along with appropriate MDS documentation. Provide an activity program that meets state and federal regulations, while meeting Memorial Healthcare’s vision to be recognized as a National Model for Excellence in Personalized Healthcare. Strives for superior performance by consistently providing a product or service to leadership and staff that is recognized as ultimately contributing to the patient and family experience. Recognizes and demonstrates understanding of patient and family centered care.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Contribute to facility efforts to maintain and/or improve quality of care through participation in the following:
   1. Attend Care plan meetings in absence of Life Enrichment Coordinator.
   2. Serve as a member of the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Committee.
   3. Attend mandatory in-services.
2. Assess residents and participate with the Life Enrichment Coordinator in formulating an individualized plan of care with measurable objectives consistent with the resident’s activities of interest, preferences and goals.
3. Properly document MDS reports and progress notes.
4. Assist with transportation arrangements for outings for residents as weather permits.
5. Maintain office and area in a neat and orderly manner.
6. Uphold and insure resident’s rights, privacy, dignity and freedom of choice.
7. Attend training programs and other meetings to remain knowledgeable concerning developments in the Long Term Care and Skilled Care.
8. Keep the Life Enrichment Coordinator informed of departmental concerns.
9. Maintain a positive professional attitude and contribute to the unit’s interdepartmental team.
10. Demonstrate job related aspects of resident safety to assure a safe environment; safe and effective use of equipment and technology; and decreased risk of potential adverse resident occurrences.
11. Deliver and open mail as necessary for all mail for residents.
12. Continue assessment, care planning, and support in absence of Life Enrichment Coordinator.
13. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of residents served on his/her assigned unit.
14. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the resident’s status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each resident’s requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the unit’s and division’s policies and procedures.
15. Demonstrate knowledge of and supports hospital mission, vision, value statements, standards of care, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality statements, corporate compliance plan, standards of behavior and the code of ethical behavior.

DEPARTMENTAL AND ADDITIONAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Other duties as assigned

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

1. High school graduate or equivalent.
2. Activity Assistant certified through the National Certification Council is preferred
3. Basic CPR certification
4. Current BLS certification.

EXPERIENCE

1. Minimum of two years of experience as a nurse tech or activity tech working with the geriatric population within the last 5 years; OR
2. Experience as a therapy recreational specialist.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL ABILITIES/MOTOR SKILLS

1. Able to travel independently throughout all Memorial Healthcare facilities.
2. Standing/Walking: ability to stand and walk for long periods of time is required. Standing in one position may be required for certain activities.
3. Sit: sit while charting. Will require intermittently sitting throughout the day, or during activities.
4. Lifting: Resident possessions and resident charts up to twenty pounds.
5. Carrying: Must be able to carry up to twenty pounds.
6. Pushing/Pulling: Required to push/pull residents in wheelchairs between 70-200 pounds.
7. Climbing: no significant climbing is required; one may be required to climb a step stool.
8. Bending: must be able to bend to touch the floor to remove environmental hazards.
9. Reaching: reaching above one’s head.
10. Squatting/kneeling: must be able to squat or kneel.
11. Twisting: must be able to twist at the waist.
12. Hearing: must have normal hearing (aids permitted) in order to perform assessments and perform activities.
13. Visual acuity: vision is required within normal limits for monitoring residents during activities, performing activities, and assessments.
14. Fine Motor skills: must have fine motor skills of all fingers and be able to grasp and control small items used in activities, and must grasp a pen to prepare handwritten duties.
15. Smell: must have normal sense of smell to detect odors indicating unsafe conditions or changing resident status.

ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL ABILITIES

1. Proficiency using modern office, computer and telephone equipment as used by Memorial Healthcare.

ESSENTIAL MENTAL ABILITIES

1. Ability to adapt and maintain focus in fast paced, quickly changing or stressful situations.
2. Ability to read and interpret a variety of documents including, but not limited to policies, operating instructions, white papers, regulations, rules and laws.
3. Chart necessary information on the resident's chart.
4. Perform simple math functions.
5. Identify changes in a resident's condition and/or resident's response to interventions.
6. Document findings/interventions as appropriate.
7. Independently develop creative program activities
8. Function well under pressure.

ESSENTIAL SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

1. Able to see for the purpose of reading information received in formats including but not limited to paper, computer, reports, bulletins, updates, manuals.
2. Able to see and hear for work-related purposes.
3. Communicate receptively and expressively in English, both written and verbal, with diverse populations, including physicians, residents, patients, families, community agencies, employees, and volunteers.
4. Maintain self-control.
5. Accurately hear communication by phone or in person.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

1. Maintain confidentiality.
2. Ability to interact with co-workers, hospital staff, administration, patients, physicians, the public and all internal and external customers in a professional and effective, courteous and tactful manner, at all times, physically, verbally and in all written and electronic communication.
3. Required to remain calm when adversity is encountered.
4. Open, honest, and tactful communication skills.
5. Ability to work as a team member in all activities.
6. Positive, cooperative and motivated attitude.
7. Visually assess resident's condition and needs.
8. Maintain self-control.